Supermarket receives thousands in fines after pricing snafu

Labels, stickers, and other important pieces of packaging all contribute to important aspects of a product's purchase and consumers' perception of it. However, basic labeling practices, such as pricing and the way products are grouped together, can land a company in trouble. Making labels that follow the law seems fundamental, but no one is immune to mistakes.

In West Bridgewater, Massachusetts, locations of the supermarket chain Shaw's were found to have violated a law regarding the way some "barbecue"-related products were priced. According to the Patriot Ledger, a recent inspection revealed that some items were neither individually priced nor in the range of aisle scanners. These scanners can be used to avoid having to put individual price labels on items, but to do so a company must send out an application for a waiver, which Shaw's did not do.

The chain has received $8,000 in total fines after violations were discovered at three locations. According to Barbara Anthony of the state's Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulations, this is just the beginning as further investigations will soon begin.

"What we found during the course of our investigation was concerning enough that the Division of Standards will be sending staff out to all Shaw's supermarkets to ensure that the item pricing law is being followed," Anthony said in a recent statement.

Making food labels and other stickers that keep stores, manufacturers, and other relevant businesses out of trouble can extend to other aspects of the retail process and should prompt serious consideration from companies as to the best approach to take. Leaving space on a product for a pricing sticker can be one way to avoid mishaps that may seem beyond the supplier's control.